Page 8 of Bravo

“Anytime, Sammy. That’ll be fifty-six cents.” As I reach into my pocket for the change, he sets the postcard aside. “How are you liking it here in Pine Creek?”

“I love it,” I reply, grateful that it’s one of the few truthful things I get to answer these days. “It’s a great town, and the Hunt family has been very welcoming.”

“Yeah, they treat their ranch hands like family. Most never leave.”

“Well, I’m glad at least one did,” I reply with a smile, handing him the coins.

His cheeks turn pink, and he smiles back. “This is true.” He offers me a receipt. “Have a good day, okay?”

“You, too. See you next week,” I reply with a wave then head back out onto the street. My gaze drifts to the place where I hada face-to-face encounter with Bradyn Hunt. Part of me wants to linger just to see if I can catch another sight of him.

Ever since I arrived, I’ve been hearing stories about the Hunt brothers. They might as well be local celebrities around here for all the work they do for the community and the military service they all carry with them. Local heroes with small-town charm.

Now that I’ve met Bradyn, though, I can honestly say that the stories didn’t do him justice. Don’t get me wrong, the other four are just as great to look at, but there’s something about Bradyn. Something that had me dang near swooning like some woman in an old black-and-white movie, even though he hadn’t said anything even mildly close to swoon-worthy.

I laugh to myself.Swoon-worthy.What an understatement.

His hazel eyes were so bright they might have pierced my soul if I’d stared too long. His dark, shaggy hair was a lot longer than his brothers’ and somehow perfectly tailored to his dangerous look. And the man is tall. I thought his brothers were, but Bradyn stands even taller than them. Not by much, but he’s definitely far taller than any one man should be.

And those broad shoulders. He’d been wearing a thick jacket, but when I’d reached out to steady myself, I’d gripped those arms. Strong, muscled arms.

I shake my head.Get it together, Kennedy.

Seriously, though, could he be any more handsome?

Since I have the afternoon off, I head down the street and toward the market to grab a few things before going back to my cabin on the ranch. Even though it’s January and freezing, the sky is blue, the sun shining brightly. It’s a truly beautiful day, but there’s a cloud hovering over me.

Likely due to the nightmare that had me up before dawn, even though it was the first morning in two weeks that I got to sleep in. My smile fades slightly as I step into the market, my thoughts on everything I need to grab.

“Afternoon, Sammy!” Jim, a teenager who restocks on the weekends, greets as I make my way inside.

“Afternoon, how’s it going today?”

“Not too shabby,” he replies with a flirtatious grin. I’m far too old for him, something I’m sure he realizes, but that doesn’t stop him from chatting me up whenever we cross paths. “You look rested today. Day off?”

“That’s right.” I head toward the back of the store, a small basket in hand. After piling some bananas, apples, and a jar of crunchy peanut butter inside, I head back toward the front.

“Breakfast of champions?” the cashier asks as she rings me up.

“You know it,” I reply.

“I thought they fed you better at that ranch.”

I laugh. “They do. But I’m not big on hearty breakfasts,” I reply. It’s a lie, of course. Who doesn’t love hearty breakfasts of pancakes, eggs, bacon, and hash browns? The truth is that I can’t stomach taking any more from the Hunts than I already have.

Not when I’m lying to them with every breath I take.

“Ahh, well, I hear those breakfasts are amazing. Maybe give one a try. You could do with a little meat on your bones, Sammy,” she replies with a wink.

I smile. “Maybe.”

That’s the one thing about small towns that I had always thought was a rumor but turned out to be true. Everyone knows everyone. Secrets can’t hide here, which makes it incredibly interesting that I’ve been able to. This is the longest I’ve stayed anywhere. Even though it’s only been a couple of months since I first crossed into the small town of Pine Creek, Texas, and a month since I started work at the ranch, everyone in town remembers me. And they all take time to say hi whenever our paths cross.

This place is the closest I’ve come to home in a long time.

But I know better than to get too comfortable. Because that could all change tomorrow.

“Thanks, Brenda,” I say to her as I pocket my receipt and change, taking my paper bag with me.

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